Archive for Exercising with Interstim

Lately, I have found myself fixated on the fact that I just can’t work out. Because I fractured the wire on my first sacral nerve stimulator while engaging in aqua aerobics, I am worried, actually terrified, that something like that will happen again. Since my “go to” when my emotions run high is food, I am gaining weight. Gaining weight, mixed with an inability to exercise effectively, is a very wrong combination for me.

Prior to having my daughter, I always was an active person. I enjoyed training, competing, and reaping the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. After having my daughter, and extensive therapy, I was once again enjoying the benefits of going to the gym, being a reasonable weight, and a healthy person. I even found that I could exercise carefully and effectively with my first Interstim placement. Once pregnant with my son, and having my pelvic floor slip, being on bed-rest for 19 weeks, fracturing my Interstim wire, and recovering from another surgery, I have continued to lose that overall wellness I used to enjoy.

And I want it back. But, I’m afraid. I don’t want to fracture another wire. I cannot afford the type of trainer I would need that would be able to look at my x-rays, determine wire placement, and recommend safe and effective exercises. I cannot afford to spend weeks/months/years back in physical therapy. I need something, but, I don’t know how to access it or afford it. I really would LOVE to be able to get something in place for “spring training.” Any suggestions?

My bike seat for land will be arriving at my house shortly, like, this week. Glorious! I can’t wait to strap my ham hocks onto the seat that is created to protect my tender pelvic floor. I hope it works, fingers crossed! If you are so inclined, feel free to read my earlier post about biking. I also hope that our weather cooperates. I don’t know how it’s been where you live, but we have hit mid 70’s one day, snowstorm the next. Wacky!

One place I do not need to worry about biking in the elements is the gym. I’d like to be very clear, I’m not talking about “the spin class.” I tried that, once, before I had my daughter. I couldn’t walk, for days! Hmmm, bikes at the gym, that aren’t in a land spin class? Where are said bikes I speak of? In the water of course!

Hydro-biking is an amazing workout for those with pelvic floor damage. The hydro-bike allows you to “spin” and workout with limited pressure on your pelvic area. It is an awesome resource that I am very lucky to be able to use at the weekly hydro-bike class at the gym. Kudos to my gym for trying something new.

So, for someone who was told they would never ride a bike again, I say, I CAN and I AM bike riding! (with modifications).

The first time I was seen by a medical professional post birth trauma was 6 weeks later. As I sat across from my OBGYN, (the same one who delivered me), she first calmly told me I was too bruised to examine. She then proceeded to tell me about my “normal” delivery and my “normal” recoveryand how it would just take time to get back to “normal.” No mention of physical therapy, fecal incontinence surgery, PTSD treatment, just a condescending statement that “normalcy” would be achieved with time. She then, offhandedly, remarked-“It’s not like you need to ever ride a bike again.”

WHAT? Part of my “normal” recovery from my “normal” delivery would impact my ability to ride a bike? I often think about this statement. Was my OBGYN placing a thought in my head, a thought that I could reinforce with a nonchalance of “well, it’s not like I need to.”

Well, since then I have switched OBGYN’s, but the switch for the bike statement in my brain was not as easily achieved. Until now. I have found a bike seat that I am ready to try. This bike seat eliminates pressure on the perineum area and claims to be both comfortable and functional for those with pelvic floor issues.

So, it’s March. And, I need to lose weight. What better idea than to join the March Meltdown at my gym!

Since the birth of my daughter, in March 2008, exercise has been tricky. Swimming, my main form of exercise, was not happening for a while (that whole fecal incontinence issue really put a damper on getting in the pool). Anything that involved my pelvic floor (ab work, cycling)-not happening due to extreme pain. Additionally, anything that wiggled my dislocated hip, caused me to let go of embarrassing gas, or possibly triggered my PTSD was not an ideal exercising situation.

So, I sat, and ate, and gained weight, until I weighed more than I did at my heaviest pregnancy weight.

February 2011, I joined a gym. After years of physical therapy, and my high fiber diet, I felt that I could have a good handle on the pool situation. I tentatively began aquasize classes, and slowly started swimming laps. Of course, my going to the gym was always dependent on what kind of day my sphincter and mind were having. I began to lose weight.

July/August 2011, I had my Interstim surgery. Because of the healing time, I was out of the gym rotation for about 6 weeks. You guessed it, I gained again.

And here we are. March Meltdown. Time to get serious. Time to explore what I like to call “Interstimcise.” This time, I am working with a personal trainer who knows about my Interstim Implant and can suggest productive, and safe, exercise that does not jiggle the implant, or put pressure on the site of incision. Ever since I received my Interstim implant in August, I have been tentative as to how to proceed. I have only done the low impact, aquasize classes. I am super excited to work with this trainer in an effort to learn more, burn more calories, and get back into the world of exercising with limited restrictions.

The Interstim Implant does not prevent you from exercising, however, it is important to proceed with the help of your Interstim provider as well as a knowledgeable trainer, so as not to disrupt the great gift that Interstim will give you.